What we learned from Steelers' statement Week 14 win vs. Browns
By Eric Hassel
It took the Steelers offense some time to get going and took the defense essentially one drive to make necessary adjustments, but we exacted a measure of revenge against the Cleveland Browns at home after having dropped a road game a couple of weeks earlier.
Like any Steelers and Browns game and like any AFC North Division game, points were hard to come by and the defenses played tough the whole game. Had it not been for two missed field goal attempts by the Browns, we may be talking about a loss instead of a win.
With that in mind, let see what we learned on the offensive side of the ball.
The Steelers offense has a serious third-down conversion problem
The Steelers offense managed only three points in the first five possessions. That equates to four punts in the first five possessions. That type of slow start has plagued the offense all season. As a result of yet another lethargic commencement, we found ourselves trailing the Browns by four points at the end of the first quarter.
Although the offense ultimately outscored the Browns, the Steelers lost the total yards gained battle and were dead even in the time of possession department. Although we were able to convert slightly less than forty-three percent of our third-down conversion opportunities, through thirteen games of the season, the Steelers offense is converting just about thirty-nine percent of third-down conversions.
I'm not trying to 'nitpick' here.
We won the game and that's all that matters, but at some point, the lack of consistency in converting third downs could spell doom down the road, Arthur Smith needs to figure out a way to 'put the pedal to the metal' from the first series to the last, unless the game is so out of hand that we can afford to run the ball three times and punt if necessary.
Let's see what we learned on the defensive side of the ball
Although the Steelers' defense surrendered exactly three hundred yards of total offense against the Browns, we did hold them to only two of thirteen third-down conversion attempts. That was a significant factor in the result of the game.
We also generated three sacks and three turnovers. I have always said and it's not a major revelation that if you win the turnover battle and can generate pressure consistently, good things tend to happen. That is exactly what transpired against the Browns.
Through thirteen games of the 2024 season and at the time of this particular discussion, the Steelers defense ranks sixth in total yards allowed, twentieth in total pass yards allowed, fourth in rushing yards allowed, and fifth in total points allowed.
To say that the Steelers' defense is playing at an elite level would be an understatement. What is not an understatement, as far as I am concerned, is that we need to find a way to get better against the pass and we need to do it post haste.
Let's see what else we learned.
Steelers are on the verge of accomplishing a goal that has long eluded us
It has been eight seasons since the Steelers have won a playoff game. That is nearly a decade of futility for Mike Tomlin and the front office. This iteration of the Steelers is playing well enough to at least be in the conversation.
READ MORE: George Pickens' absence stunts Steelers' productivity in pivotal AFC North duel
Make no mistake, we are by no means a perfect team. We have issues on both sides of the ball that seem to be exposed in every game, but we are a ten-win team and very much control our own destiny. That's all we can ask for at this point in the 2024 season.
Our path to the playoffs may be decided in the last game of the season or we may end up going on a winning streak thanks to the performance we turned in against the Browns. The NFL is a week-to-week league and this week was the Steelers' week.